Trump: "Israel-Hamas Deal Expected Soon"

Egyptian Media Reports "Positive Atmosphere"
Additional Talks Scheduled for the 7th

Yonhap News Agency

On October 6 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump stated that an agreement would be reached soon regarding the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas over the "Gaza Strip Peace Initiative."

At an executive order signing ceremony held at the White House that day, President Trump told reporters, "Tremendous progress is being made."

He added, "Hamas has agreed on a very important issue," and conveyed that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is also very positive about the Gaza Strip peace negotiations."

He further expressed confidence in a deal, saying, "We have even received signals from Iran that they hope a peace agreement will be reached."

The Israeli and Hamas delegations began indirect negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh on this day, just one day before the second anniversary of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel. The talks are being mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

Egyptian state-run Al-Qahera News reported that the talks concluded late in the day in a positive atmosphere and that additional talks are scheduled for the following day, October 7.

These negotiations are being held based on President Trump's 20-point Gaza Strip Peace Initiative. The initiative stipulates that if Israel and Hamas reach an agreement, Hamas will release Israeli hostages, Israel will release Palestinian detainees, and the process of ending hostilities will begin. Hamas is also required to disarm and establish a civilian government.

According to AFP, both negotiating teams discussed "establishing on-site conditions for the release of hostages and detainees." The mediating countries are working to establish concrete mechanisms to ensure the exchange of people is carried out reliably.

At the talks, Hamas presented its position on the release of hostages, as well as its views on the scale and timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. However, it reportedly expressed deep concerns about whether Israel would implement a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive withdrawal.

While President Trump expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached, the issue of Hamas's disarmament, which is the core point of contention in the negotiations, remains the biggest obstacle.

Until now, Hamas has maintained that it will not disarm unless Israel's occupation ends completely and a Palestinian state is established.

A Palestinian source with close ties to the Hamas leadership told AFP that the negotiations "could last for several days," and added, "Given the occupying power's (Israel's) intention to continue its war of annihilation, the negotiations will be difficult and complex."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement on this day, calling President Trump's peace initiative "a golden opportunity to end this tragic conflict" and urged both Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.